How to connect Instagram to Manychat

Connecting your Instagram account to Manychat allows you to engage with your followers more effectively by automating responses, managing direct messages, and creating interactive experiences. This guide walks you through the steps to connect your Instagram account to Manychat.

Connect your Instagram account to Manychat

If you already have a Manychat account and want to add Instagram as an additional channel, follow these steps:

1. Open your Manychat account and click on Settings in the sidebar.
2. Select Instagram from the list of channels.
3. Click Connect.
4. Next, select the connection method you would like to use. There are three ways to connect your Instagram account to Manychat:
   • Via Meta: This is the recommended option, as it gives you access to the latest features. It supports advanced functionality like Follow to DM automation and Conversion API (CAPI) tracking. To use this method, your Instagram account must be connected to a Meta Business Portfolio.
   • Connect Via Instagram: This is the quickest and simplest way to connect your account. It does not require a Meta Business account. Keep in mind that some advanced features and automations may be limited with this option.
   • Connect Via Meta Business Suite: This connection method requires your Instagram account to be connected to a Facebook Page, and that Facebook Page must be linked to a Facebook profile. This option is recommended for agencies or advanced users who need access to advertising features and extended capabilities in Meta Ads Manager.
5. Depending on the connection method you choose, the setup steps may vary. Follow the instructions for your selected option.

Connecting via Meta

1. Click Connect Via Meta.
2. In the pop-up that opens, select the Business Instagram account you want to connect to Manychat and click Continue.
3. Review the permissions you are granting to Manychat and click Save.
4. Your Instagram account is connected and ready to use. 
5. After you complete all the onboarding questions, click Let’s Start to start working with automations.

Connecting via Instagram

1. Click Connect Via Instagram.
2. Next, in the window that opens, check the permissions you are granting to Manychat and click Allow.
3. Click Let’s start to get started with automations.

Connecting via Meta Business Suite

To connect an Instagram account via the Meta Business Suite, you must have a Facebook sign-in option linked to your Manychat account. If you originally signed up using Google, you'll be prompted to add a Facebook sign-in method before you can proceed with this connection flow. You can find more information on how to add an alternative sign-in option here.

1. Click Connect Via Meta Business Suite.
2. Next, click Go to Facebook to continue.
3. In the window that opens, confirm that the Facebook account you will be using is the right one and connected to the Business Instagram account.
4. Click Continue as Your Name.
5. Next, click Get Started.
6. You will be redirected to Instagram. Select the account you want to connect to Manychat.
7. Enter your account password and click Log in.
8. After that, you will be redirected to Facebook again so you can connect your Facebook Business page to your Instagram account. Select a Facebook Page or create a new one and click Next.
9. Review the accounts you are connecting and click Next.
10. Next, confirm that you are opting in for Manychat to have access to your Facebook Page and click Continue.
11. Select if you want Manychat to automatically have access to all Instagram accounts connected to this Facebook Page or just the selected one, and click Continue.
12. Review the permissions and click Save.
13. Click Got it to finish the setup.
14. Open your Manychat tab and click Connect for the selected Instagram account.
15. Click Let’s Start to get started with automations.

To connect your Instagram account to Manychat via Meta Business Suite, you must be an Admin with Full Control of the Facebook Page linked to that Instagram account. Without this level of access, the Instagram account will not appear in the list of available options.

Connecting Instagram during the sign-up process

If you are new to Manychat and don’t have an account yet, you can connect your Instagram account during the sign-up process.

1. Go to the Manychat website and click the Get started button in the upper-right corner.
2. Select Instagram from the list of channels suggested on the “Where would you like to start " list.
3. Next, you are asked to sign up via Facebook or Google - this is needed to create your Manychat profile.
4. Select the option that works best for you and follow the prompts on the screen.
5. If you select Facebook:
   • You will be asked to log in to your Facebook account.
   • Next, you need to confirm your login using the code Facebook sends you to one of your authorized devices. If you don’t have access to them, you can select to send the code via WhatsApp.
   • Once you enter the code, the pop-up window opens where you need to confirm the connection. Click Connect to continue.
6. If you select Google:
   • In the window that opens, log in to your Google account, or if you are already logged in, select it from the list of accounts. 
   • Check the permissions and click Continue.
7. Once you’ve given the permissions and created a Manychat account, you can select one of the connection methods described above to continue.

Connect a Client’s Instagram Account (For Agencies)

If you are managing a client’s Instagram account, there are several ways to connect it to Manychat. The right option depends on how you and your client prefer to work:

• You can request access to your client’s Instagram account and connect it directly to your Manychat account.
• Your client can connect their Instagram account to their own Manychat account and then grant you Admin access using an invite link. A step-by-step video tutorial is available for this setup.
• You can also connect the account through Meta Business Suite by following the instructions for that connection method.

If you run into any issues while connecting Instagram to Manychat, refer to this troubleshooting guide or contact our Support team.